Page 2 of The Cursed Chalice
“Be of peace, brother. We will try to get her out alive,” Hermes murmurs. Be of peace? The woman I love is shackled and beaten, and I must be of peace? Never.
“I SAID, LET HER GO, OR BY THE GODS I WILL KILL EVERY ONE OF YOU!” I shout, feeling my anger imploding inside of me. The room goes silent. No one speaks. I can feel rage humming through my muscles.
Hermes sighs and moves to Zeus’ throne. In his white and gold toga, holding his caduceus in his hand, he says, “All rise for the thunder bringer, the lightning holder, the god of all Olympus, Zeus.”
Everyone rose except for me. The air around me feels charged. The clouds roll above me, becoming darker. A crisp metallic scent fills the air. The thunder rumbles loudly. Small streaks of lightning zap through the clouds. A large bolt hits the ground, and I squint my eyes from the bright light. The lightning-wielder king sits on his black marble and gold throne. He looks bothered that he has to be here. His white hair falls down his back, and he strokes his long white beard. His eyes are white, with lightning flashing in them.
“Shall we begin?” Hera says.
I kneel, hearing the venom in Aphrodite’s voice as she weaves the tale of the land of Thrace. That one day, the queen of Eyphra, Talia, came to my temple to pray, and I listened to her. I heard her pray for the end of her husband, King Orinon. Aphrodite passes before the hearth as she regales the hate that Talia had for Orinon.
I remember the night Talia came to the temple. Orinon had beaten her before his guests and had her raped by them while he watched. Her prayers were like bitter incense invading my nostrils. What was I to do? As a god…
Aphrodite stops and points her well-manicured nail at me. “He possessed King Thrissur, king of Thrace, and during a banquet, he killed King Orinon.”
“They beat and raped her.” What was I to do?” I shout, spittle flying out of my mouth.
Talia stares at me and bows her head. Shame. I brought her shame.
“You could have just killed Orinon. Instead, you executed a nation,” Poseidon’s voice rumbles.
Artemis shakes her head and says, “You can’t be judge, jury, and executioner, Ares.”
I remain silent. It was all true, but trying to defend Talia would only make it worse.
Dionysus sips his wine and grins. “It’s all so primitive if you ask me.”
Athena huffs and folds her arms over her armor. “With the help of Phobos, Deimos, Eris, and Enyo, he went to war. Apollo and I begged him to stop. But he refused.”
“It was too late,” someone says. My eyes meet Talia’s, and I see a single tear roll down her cheek.
Aphrodite walks down to the dais, past the bowl hearth, to stand in front of me, blocking my view of Talia. Her voice floats through the room like sweet poison. “Why did he do all of this? For the love of a mortal woman. Her! She implored him to kill King Orinon.” Her eyes burn with vexation and jealousy. Aphrodite’s chest heaves as she points to Talia.
“So love clouded your divine judgement?” Zeus stands. “Do you deny it, Ares?”
I look up at Aphrodite, and I remember a time when I fawned over her lips, her clear blue eyes, and her lush hair. I was willing to burn the world for her at one time, but it wasn’t enough.
“Why am I being condemned for a love I didn’t betray? You, who turned into a swan to seduce a mortal woman. Is thatnot deception? Is that not the highest form of disrespect to my mother?”
The crackle comes, and then a painful, intense burn hits my face and eyes. I scream out, pulling at the shackles. I bend forward trying to curb the pain of Zeus’ lightning bolt. Blood drips from my face onto the ground. My skull burns. My chest heaves, and my eyes water. I can smell the burned skin on my face.
“Please, please don’t hurt him,” Talia shouts.
“No, Talia,” I groan out, my gaze holding hers, and I shake my head.
I feel warmth spread through my neck and face, and the searing pain eases. My skin tightens as it mends. Hermes’ hands are over my wounds.
“Don’t get rid of the scar,” I whisper.
“But, brother, your face.” Hermes’ eyes are filled with sadness.
“I want to remember…leave the scar,” I reply.
“You want to remember? All who think Ares is guilty, say ‘aye,’” Zeus says.
I close my eyes, letting rage roll through me. I hear the “ayes” go around the room.
“All done.” Hermes stands and zips to Hera’s side.
